Naturally, not everyone needs a boat this large, but Roadmaster ranks as one of the better examples of this now-extinct breed.

Overview

A famous old name, last used in 1958, graced the latest full-size, rear-drive Buick, offered first as an Estate wagon. Fully restyled with a rounded aero look, Roadmaster used the same chassis and mechanicals as the Chevrolet Caprice and Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser wagon–both redesigned for ’91. A driver-side airbag was mounted in a standard tilt steering wheel. Antilock braking was standard. Only one powertrain was available: a 170-horsepower, 5.0-liter V8 driving a 4-speed automatic transmission. Wagons had woodgrain siding and two or three rows of seats, for up to 8-passenger capacity. A fixed-glass “vista roof” sat above the middle bench, while a 2-way tailgate swung open to the left. Center and rear seats fold to create a flat cargo area, which can hold a 4×8 sheet of plywood.

Yearly Updates

1992 Roadmaster
A 4-door sedan joined the Roadmaster wagon as an early ’92 model, carrying a 5.7-liter V8 engine that developed 180 horsepower. That engine also went into the Estate Wagon, displacing the original 5.0-liter.

1993 Roadmaster
Change was minimal.

1994 Roadmaster
Dual airbags were installed, but even bigger news went under the hood. Roadmaster buyers got a modified version of the LT1 engine used in Chevrolet Corvettes. Similar in displacement to the prior V8, the LT1 sent 260 horsepower to a new 4-speed automatic transmission. A redesigned dash held new gauges, with climate controls higher and a knee bolster below.

1995 Roadmaster
Only a handful of minor changes marked the ’95 models, including long-life automatic-transmission fluid. Larger, foldaway style mirrors were installed, and radios got bigger controls. Sedans wore new bodyside moldings, while Estate wagons added a shade for the “vista roof” as well as a cargo cover.

1996 Roadmaster
For its final season, the traditional-size, rear-drive Roadmaster enjoyed only a few changes. Engine coolant could last 5 years or 100,000 miles, and automatic climate control became standard.

Engines

longitudinal front-engine/rear-wheel drive

Roadmaster wagons started off with a single engine: a Chevrolet-built 5.0-liter V8 with single-point fuel injection, making 170 horsepower, connected to a 4-speed overdrive automatic transmission. A 5.7-liter V8 arrived along with the sedan, rated at 180 horsepower and yielding considerably more torque than the 5.0-liter. The Corvette-based LT1 engine installed in 1994 Roadmasters made 260 horsepower and 335 pound-feet of torque. Although the block was the same as that used under prior Roadmaster hoods, most internal parts were new. The LT1 engine had one fuel injector for each cylinder, plus a stainless-steel dual exhaust system. A new electronic 4-speed automatic also entered Roadmasters for ’94.

ohv V8

Engine Size (liters/cubic inches)

5.0/305

Engine HP

170

Engine Torque (lb-ft)

255

Avail. Trans.

EPA MPG (city/hwy)

MPG avg. as tested

4-speed automatic

16/25

ohv V8

Engine Size (liters/cubic inches)

5.7/350

Engine HP

180

Engine Torque (lb-ft)

290-300

Avail. Trans.

EPA MPG (city/hwy)

MPG avg. as tested

4-speed automatic

16/25

ohv V8

Engine Size (liters/cubic inches)

5.7/350

Engine HP

260

Engine Torque (lb-ft)

330-335

Avail. Trans.

EPA MPG (city/hwy)

MPG avg. as tested

4-speed automatic

17/26

13.8

Road Test

More stable than its predecessors, with a firmer suspension than Chevrolet’s structurally similar Caprice, the Roadmaster offers capable highway handling for a car of this class. The ride is smooth and steady, with less bounce over bumps and sway in the corners than a Caprice suffers. The big wagon feels stable and is easy enough to control at high speed. Steering is more accurate and the ride more controlled than a Caprice’s. Even so, the generously sized sedan and wagon tend to bound and float over wavy surfaces. Antilock braking works well, with good control.

Acceleration with the initial 5.0-liter V8 is good. Snappier yet, especially when passing or merging, is the 5.7-liter V8 that became standard for 1992. Hottest of all: the Corvette-based 260-horsepower V8 tucked into 1994-96 models. Those Roadmasters also contain dual airbags, rather than a driver-only airbag as in earlier models.

Gas mileage is barely passable in town, but surprisingly good on the road. We averaged 24 mpg on a highway trip in a Limited sedan with the 180-horsepower engine, but mileage dropped below 16 mpg in city driving.

Six fit easily in a sedan, and the wagon’s rear-facing third seat holds two youngsters. The fixed-glass “vista roof” manages to brighten the wagon’s interior. A roomy Roadmaster with Trailer-Towing Package can haul 5000 pounds. In addition to a large cargo area, the wagon has numerous storage bins and pockets. Sedans offer a huge trunk, but rearward visibility is marred by thick roof pillars. Controls are straightforward. Full analog gauges, including a tachometer, are better than Caprice’s. Nine large climate-control buttons may be reached by the driver or front passenger.

Ratings

Model Tested: 1996 Buick Roadmaster sedan

Ratings values are on a 1-10 scale, with 10 being the best. With the exception of Value, these numbers reflect how the vehicle compares against the universe of vehicles, not just against rivals in its class.

Performance

Acceleration - 6

60%

Fuel Economy - 3

30%

Ride Quality - 7

70%

Steering/Handling - 4

40%

Quietness - 6

60%

Accommodations

Controls/Materials - 6

60%

Room/Comfort Front - 7

70%

Room/Comfort Rear - 6

60%

Cargo Room - 6

60%

Other

Value - 6

60%

Total: 57

Specifications

4-door sedan

Wheelbase (in.)

Length (in.)

Width (in.)

Height (in.)

Weight (lbs)

115.9

215.8

78.1

55.9

Cargo Volume (cu/ft)

Payload Capacity (cu/ft)

Fuel Capacity (gal.)

Seating Capacity

21.0

23.0

6

Headroom

Legroom

Front

Rear

Front

Rear

39.2

38.6

42.1

38.9

4-door wagon

Wheelbase (in.)

Length (in.)

Width (in.)

Height (in.)

Weight (lbs)

115.9

217.5

79.9

60.3

Cargo Volume (cu/ft)

Payload Capacity (cu/ft)

Fuel Capacity (gal.)

Seating Capacity

92.4

22.0

8

Headroom

Legroom

Front

Rear

Front

Rear

39.6

39.4

42.3

37.3

Safety Ratings

Model Tested: 1995 Roadmaster 4-door sedan

NHTSA

(5 is the highest rating)

Front Impact Test

Driver Injury - 4

80%

Front Passenger Injury - 2

40%

Side Impact Test

Driver Injury - N/A

N/A0%

Rear Passenger Injury - N/A

N/A0%

HLDI

(A score of 100 is average. Lower is better)

Collision

96

Injury

61

Theft

41

Trouble Spots

Automatic transmission
Description: Model 700-R4 automatic transmissions may shift late or not upshift at all. The problem is a stuck throttle valve inside the transmission. (All years)

Engine noise
Description: The exhaust valves on the 5.0- and 5.7-liter engines may not get enough lubrication causing a variety of noises. Usually, the same engine consumes excess oil because the valve-guide seals on the exhaust valves are bad and have to be replaced. (1994-96)

Steering noise
Description: The upper bearing mount in the steering column can get loose and cause a clicking that can be both heard and felt, requiring a new bearing spring and turn-signal cancel cam. (1994-96)

1995-96 station wagon
Description: Airbag caution label and roof-rack caution label were incorrectly installed on same side of sunvisor.

1995-96
Description: Wheel lug nuts were not tightened to the proper specification. This could result in wheel loss.

Equipment Lists

Click on year to see equipment lists for all models offered for that model year.

1991

Equipment list not available for 1991

1992

Equipment list not available for 1992

1993

Equipment list not available for 1993

1994

Equipment list not available for 1994

1995

Equipment list not available for 1995

1996

Equipment list not available for 1996

Equipment Lists

Equipment lists are only viewable on larger screen sizes.

Pricing

Used-car pricing varies widely depending on local market conditions. Therefore, we recommend visiting websites that list used cars for sale to get a better idea of what a specific model is selling for in your area.